RUMOUR: Nickelodeon To Debut New Logo And Full On Out Rebrand Amidst The 2023 Kids Choice Awards

This era of Nickelodeon was undeniably one of the greatest eras in TV animation. There was a show for everyone and it felt like the characters were in their own universe. The Nicktoons era ascended the channel's popularity to where it is right now even though animation isn't much of a focus right now.

When we look back at Nick's history a major turning point was the logo. What was once an exciting splat oozing with personality essentially became a normal SpongeBob.

Nickelodeon oversimplified their look before oversimplify was cool I mean yeah it gets the job done but at what costs. This logo (above) is where everything went wrong.

Fast forward to 2023 and we might be on the verge of something amazing. Over to Twitter, Nickandmore posted about a new Nickelodeon production dense card used in a SpongeBob episode. Not only that ads for the Kids Choice Awards reveal the same thing.

Our journey continues with The Tiny Chef Show, on Nickelodeon he's got his own live-action puppet show where he makes meals. In a new Instagram post, the character revealed he was invited to the Kids Choice Awards for a "special walk" on the orange carpet.

Since news of the logo surfaced, it was met with a lot of praise by fans for combining the current Nickelodeon logo with the old logo which featured Splat.

This happens to be one of the best logos the channel has ever debuted throughout its existence and it's possible rebrand means that it joins the likes of other brands from Paramount Global to get a makeover including Comedy Central, MTV and BET.

This new logo should it permanent will likely rollout on other Nick brands such as Nick Jr. and Nicktoons seeing as those are sister channels and besides that MTV Base had aligned their logo to match with MTV so there's no reason for why the same can't happen in this instance.

Credits: Valiskibum Nickandmore! and NickALive!

Openview Consumers Are Not Willing To Switch To Ultraview

During the week, eMedia Investments unveiled Pride the first of several pay-tv offerings currently bundled under Openview Ultra (also known as Ultraview) joining rivals such as MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media alongside StarTimes' StarSat platform.

Pride comes with two dedicated general entertainment brands FUSE and OUTtv currently priced at R74.99 per month. Both of which cater to the LGBTQ community with eMedia Investments promising to add more channels overtime to the Ultraview bouquet.

Compared to most other pay-tv platforms, Ultraview comes as an unbundled outlet similar to DStv AddMovies and while MultiChoice has yet to launch a similar offering DStv Flex this was the result to the outcome of letting consumers choose what to pay for.

Since news of Ultraview came out in 2022, several Openview consumers were skeptical about the idea some feeling like second rate as seen with some DStv consumers while others thought it would follow a similar format to the mentioned platform.

A survey was conducted across social platforms about Openview Ultra and consumers in general aren't willing to cough up the dough with some comparing to the likes of DStv and others aren't satisfied with the current setup of the platform.

But from what I've seen through all this is that Openview Ultra caters to another level of consumers and most of them reside within cable platforms such as DStv or OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+.

Honestly, Openview Ultra isn't aligned to most of the products currently bundled under eMedia Investments which include linear channels such as e.tv, eExtra and eToonz as well as digital platforms like eVOD but serves more as a standalone to the portfolio.

So I'm not gonna take consumer's concerns to account when looking at the potential outcome of Openview Ultra. For all we know, this could do well on their part as there's consumers out there who wanted this offering on DStv but MultiChoice backed out.

I am not going to say Openview Ultra is the best thing that has happened since DStv but if this formula succeeds it might encourage competitors to rollout a similar offering as seen last year when kykNET rolled out it's first competitor for eExtra's Kuiertyd offering.

Could eMedia Investments Be Cutting Back On More Programming??? As These Brands Take A Plunge With Rebroadcasts

eVOD was launched back in 2021 joining existing streamers like Showmax, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, VIU, Disney+, BritBox and several others offering local and international productions seen across eMedia's platforms as well as some unseen content.

eMedia Investments was planning to commission and produce as much original content as possible and use various of their linear channels to help promote these offerings. You had attractions such as Housewives, uMbali, Soete Wraak and Christmas Without Gogo.

Fast forward to 2023, eVOD has hit a dry spell but I'm not referring to the original offering but the third party content in general. 360 Sport and Microblast TV was removed from the lineup alongside selected international dramas.

International dramas was what use to make up 10% of e.tv's international drama slate with shows like SAF3, LA's Finest and The Book Of Negroes and over the few months eExtra's with Piyaa Albela, Naagin, The Girl Named Feriha and Fatmagul.

Interesting to note, Durban Gen was axed on e.tv with the final episodes scheduled in the coming months same goes for Imbewu and Isono with news of an undisclosed replacement but that doesn't cover the other aspects much less give us a glimmer of hope.

Most of eVOD's originals or at least the ones catered to a black audience haven't as yet been seen on e.tv while as eExtra's Guilty Pleasure slate basically an alternative to Kuiertyd hasn't been successful in sourcing out fresher content.

Kurt En Shura, Blue Venom Girl and Ice Adonis are what makes up primetime and the actual fresh/DStv rebroadcast from the channel Twist Of Fate is being replaced by the fourth rebroadcast in the trio, Dare To Love also seen on DStv in the coming days.

I don't want to think badly about any brand if I'm being honest it's best to do what anyone does when browsing one section of a platform. Take your remote or your finger and browse other areas I think that's how anyone will survive at this point.

But honestly what is happening with the current developments of eExtra and eVOD, could it be that guilty pleasure is being phased out for more Afrikaans dubbed soap operas I mean the idea wouldn't be far fetched as we have Openview Ultra rolling out.

The other having to do with the fact that e.tv had experienced a cutback of international programming with Days Of Our Lives likely to make a comeback on MultiChoice and NBCUniversal's revamped Showmax streamer and eMedia needing more money.

 

Breaking News From Across The World In The Last 7 Days Dated 3 March

This week we look at content that has been stirring the pot from across the world in no particular order.

1. MultiChoice sells 30% of their stake of Showmax to NBCUniversal, Peacock will launch under this platform
2. Disney Channel Original Movies has been scrapped for Disney Original Movies with Prom Pact as the company in question aligns their focus towards streaming
3. Tom Hiddleston's The Night Manager returns after a seven year hiatus
4. A rebroadcast of Can You See Me makes way to Zee World, more details about the show is on the link
5. Miley Cyrus releases a demo of her chart topping single, Flowers
6. Nicki Minaj returns with her first "original" single of the year, Red Ruby Da Sleeze
7. M-Net is working on a new drama, White Lies
8. WWE Superstar Sonya Deville arrested for gun possession
9. WWE Superstar Solo Sikoa tied the knot
10. SABC is gearing up for the launch of their second news channel in April 2023
11. Katlego Maboe to host Deal or No Deal SA revival on SABC1 from 6 March
12. Demi Lovato releases new single Still Alive which serves as a soundtrack to Scream VI
13. Pokémon to get new animated series exclusively on Netflix
14. The Thundermans: Nickelodeon's superhero family return for a feature length film on Paramount+
15. The duo Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike recruit Danna Paola and Ne-Yo for new single Mexico

Insidus Games: Exploring The Dark Corners Of Massachusetts In The Fourth Installment Of Alone In The Dark

Set on October 31, 2001. Edward Carnby's best friend and partner, Charles Fiske, has been found dead off the coast of Shadow Island, a mysterious island near the coast of Massachusetts. Carnby's investigation quickly leads him to Frederick Johnson, who informs him of Fiske's search for three ancient tablets with the ability to unlock an incredible and dangerous power. Johnson pleads with Carnby to take the place of Fiske and reopen the investigation in order to recover the tablets. Carnby accepts and makes it his mission to find Fiske's killer. Johnson introduces Edward to Aline Cedrac, an intelligent, young university professor. She joins Edward to recover the missing tablets and assist Professor Obed Morton, whom she believes to be her father. While flying over the coast of Shadow Island, Edward and Aline's plane comes under attack by an unknown creature. Edward and Aline both jump out of the plane and parachute to the ground, but are separated immediately. Edward lands in the dense forest just outside a manor, while Aline lands on the roof of it.

Review: The whole concept of the game stands out and if anything it's definitely on my recommended games to try out but one or probably several things I found challenging was how dark some areas pan out and also the designs can be hazardous and the other having to do with my character not having much means to regain their health once having zero options.

As mentioned this is something I'd recommend you try out if you ever get the time.

The game requires a GBC emulator: click here

For the actual game: click here

Africa: Cartoon Network Game On! Is Live On Roblox

Fans can now immerse themselves in all things Cartoon Network as the brand launches Cartoon Network Game On!, a fully experiential world on Roblox.

Featuring zip wires, slides, fun rides and much much more, Cartoon Network Game On! gives kids the chance to bond with their favourite Cartoon Network characters, play games and explore five awe-inspiring islands.

Following the spectacular success of Ben 10 Super Hero Time on Roblox, with an impressive 285M+ site visits since its 2020 launch, Cartoon Network has expanded its presence in the metaverse to bring its beloved shows to a wider audience. Like never before, Roblox players can now experience the virtual world of hit series Craig of the Creek, Teen Titans Go!, We Baby Bears, Ben 10, and The Amazing World of Gumball first-hand. Accurately reflecting the locations and worlds iconic to these fan-favourite shows, the game lets fans explore the Creek, walk the streets of Jump City, tour the Titans Tower, take a trip to Elmore Junior High School, and more.

Cartoon Network Game On! launches more multiplayer and solo game formats, each inspired by show storylines. Kids can play games to level up and unlock awesome avatar skins and accessories. Playing The Amazing World of Gumball game, “The Void,” they can experiment with the laws of gravity and bounce between long-forgotten Elmore relics. Inspired by the Craig of the Creek episode “The Ground is Lava!,” the game puts players in Craig’s shoes as he and his friends battle to reach safety.

The experience also incorporates Cartoon Network’s award-winning initiative, Cartoon Network Climate Champions, allowing users to complete challenges on Roblox – actionable in both virtual and real life. Examples include “Red Light Scavenger Hunt,” which involves unplugging items around the island consuming energy, and “Bee Kind,” which helps bees thrive by planting bee-friendly wildflowers.

Africa is one of the fastest-growing video game markets, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12% between 2021-2026. Currently leading the Roblox gaming market in sub-Sahara Africa is South Africa, seeing more than 698k app downloads in 2022, and Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana seeing a collective 400+k downloads for the year¹.

Monika Oomen, VP, Brand, Communications and Digital Content Strategy, Kids EMEA, said: “We are hugely excited to bring the colourful, wild and unexpected world of Cartoon Network to Roblox. We have harnessed learnings from the incredible success of Ben 10 Super Hero Time on Roblox and have worked with kids to develop an experience with real added value for our audience on the platform they love. The result is an expansion of our brand into the Roblox playground in a uniquely CN and kid-relevant way. We look forward to inviting kids into such an innovative, immersive experience featuring their favourite shows and characters.”

The Cartoon Network Game On! experience on Roblox continues to grow, seeing 468k unique users across January and now surpassing the 2.2M total visits mark. This week also saw the launch of the localised versions of the game in French, Italian, Turkish, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese languages.

Head over to Roblox and search for Cartoon Network Game On! to visit the islands of your favourite Cartoon Network shows, where there are tons of games to play for free!